Why Representing Yourself In A Personal Injury Lawsuit Is A Bad Idea
Parties in lawsuits, whether they are plaintiffs or defendants, have the right to represent themselves in litigation or to hire lawyers to represent them. When you act as a personal representative of an estate, file for bankruptcy protection, file or respond to a divorce petition, or attempt to modify a court-ordered parenting plan or child support order, the choice is yours whether you hire an attorney to represent in court or pursue the matter on your own behalf. No one files a personal injury lawsuit unless they have suffered financial losses as the result of a serious bodily injury. You might assume that, given your distressed financial circumstances, you cannot afford to pay a lawyer. Representing yourself in a personal injury lawsuit is risky, though, and professional legal representation is less expensive than you might imagine. To find out more about how personal injury cases work and how best to approach your case, contact a Columbia personal injury lawyer.
You Should Focus On Staying Healthy and Productive
Filing a lawsuit requires months, if not years, of time-consuming work. It requires you to be patient and organized. You must follow all the legal requirements. If you represent yourself, it is up to you to find all the relevant documents, summon the witnesses, and decide what to ask them to prove your point effectively. This is hard enough under ideal circumstances, but it is even harder if you are living with a chronic injury. You should focus on your health and, if you are able to work, on your job.
Lawyers Have Seen Cases Like Yours Before
Personal injury lawsuits require you to clear many hurdles, and a professional personal injury attorney has cleared them all before. Your lawyer knows which documents to request during discovery, what to ask witnesses, and how to advise them to respond during cross examination. Your lawyer can also tell from experience whether a settlement offer is adequate or whether to keep negotiating or go to trial.
You Might Be Filing a Pointless Lawsuit
During their initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer, many clients are surprised to hear the lawyer say, “You don’t have to go to court.” You might assume that, if the insurance company does not offer you enough money after a car accident, that your only choice is to sue. This is not usually the case; lawyers can often negotiate a settlement with the insurance company that will cover your accident-related financial losses.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Is More Affordable Than You Think
Don’t let the numbers you see when you Google “how much does it cost to hire a lawyer” scare you. Personal injury lawyers offer payment options that are suitable for clients whose income has been diminished due to an injury.
Let Us Help You Today
The car accident lawyers at the Stanley Law Group can help you get the money you need after an accident-related injury. Contact The Stanley Law Group in Columbia, South Carolina or call (803)799-4700 for a free initial consultation.
Source:
psc.sc.gov/sites/psc/files/Documents/Pro%20Se%20Litigant/Pro_Se_Litigant_Guide_Download.pdf
